Category Archives: american craft council

In just a few days, the American Craft Council (ACC) @ the Baltimore Convention Center opens their wholesale (February 22-23) and retail (February 24-26) American Craft Shows.

More than 650 top contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor artists from across the country will gather in Baltimore at the Convention Center. Touch, feel, and explore high-quality American craft and meet the makers behind the fabulous work. This is a HUGE show – a must-attend for craft lovers! Make sure you see incredible glass works by Kenny Pieper, ceramics by Joe Hicks and Ani Kasten, and wearable wood accessories by Drew Graham.

The ACC has also invited 20 makers from Craft Scotland to their flagship Baltimore show in 2017 – so the show will be extra ossum! Click HERE for more info. Click Here to jump to ACC event tickets.

The American Craft Council announces a call for applications for student/emerging professional scholarships to attend the 2016 American Craft Council conference, “Present Tense,” on October 13 – 15 in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Council has a strong history of giving emerging makers and scholars opportunities to bring their work to the marketplace and platforms for engaging in ongoing dialogue about the future of craft.

To continue this tradition, the Council will offer $50,000 in full and partial scholarships for the “Present Tense” conference. Students enrolled in a formal university or craft school program (at both the graduate and undergraduate level), students participating in an apprenticeship/mentor program, as well as new professionals (>5 years out of school) are encouraged to apply. Full scholarships include funding for the conference registration fee ($215-$425) plus a travel and accommodation stipend. Partial scholarships provide for the registration fee and may or may not include a travel or accommodation stipend.

The deadline for all scholarship applications has been extended to Thursday, June 23rd. Applicants will be notified via email by Friday, July 8th. Recipients will be selected by a committee. Local, national, and international scholarships will be awarded.

ELIGIBILITY
All candidates must be:

1. A full-time student currently enrolled in an art school or university, OR participating in an apprenticeship program/working with a mentor, OR a new professional within five years of graduation. Graduate, undergraduate and post-doc students are invited to apply.
2. Must be a current member of the American Craft Council or become a member before the conference

CRITERIA
The scholarships committee will take into consideration the following criteria when considering applicants:

1. Evidence of commitment to and interest in the craft field
2. Interest in contributing to the dialogue and scholarship of the field at large
3. Potential to benefit professionally from attendance at the conference
4. Financial need

REQUIREMENTS
Scholarship recipients are required to attend the entire conference. To help us ensure the ongoing improvement of the scholarship program, all scholarship winners will be required to submit a post-conference evaluation by November 11, 2016.

NOTIFICATION
All applicants will be notified on or before July 8, 2016.

The American Craft Council (ACC) is the leading nationwide arts nonprofit cultivating a culture of making. For more than 75 years, the American Craft Council has championed craft. The ACC recognizes and values the profound impact craft has on individuals and communities. Today, the ACC efforts span the nation, supporting professional makers through unique craft shows and educational resources. The ACC engages artists, the public, and scholars through a one-of-a-kind reference library, conferences, public lectures, and student programs. Their national awards honor long-time master artisans and spotlight emerging and traditional rare-craft artists.The ACC also promotes the handmade through their resource-rich website, award-winning magazine American Craft, and through social media platforms.

The ACC moved to Minneapolis, MN in 2010, and they have reinvigorated and expanded their programs to benefit and grow the craft community.

The ACC is seeking a new Director of Education - a key position in the organization. Below are the job details:

Position: Director of Education

Reports to: Executive Director of the American Craft Council

Summary: The director of education is responsible for creating a roster of thought-provoking, strategic, and engaging educational programming that will position the American Craft Council as a leader in the field, attract a growing audience, and facilitate meaningful conversation about craft.

Primary Responsibilities:
1. In accordance with the Council’s strategic plan, develop and execute a roster of programs that will:• Strengthen economic opportunities within the craft field, including development of professional development programs for established and emerging artists• Promote and advocate for craft as an important cultural resource• Provide thought leadership and cultivate critical thinking about contemporary craft2. Oversee the budget for the education department and work with the development department to make recommendations for potential sources of programmatic support for all educational programs. Working closely with the development team, assist in authoring grants and presentations to foundations, individuals, and organizations that may give financial support for education programs.3. Promote the programs of the Council in collaboration with the marketing department. Working with the marketing and communications director, identify and execute promotional campaigns for outreach for programs to a wide audience, including development of promotional materials in both print and online formats.4. Identify and develop beneficial programmatic partnerships with other individuals, organizations, and institutions that will strengthen the Council’s ability to fulfill its mission to champion craft. Develop and manage key relationships with local and national craft education, craft media, and other arts organizations. Continue local and national educational initiatives, including Library Salon Series, Crafted Conversations Series, Craft Cage Match, media-specific organization conference speaker partnerships, and others.5. Manage and develop artist training initiatives, including web coursework, in partnership with MICA and other constituent partners. Oversee School-to-Market program with partner school faculty and students as part of ACC show initiative.6. Supervise and manage the library as a key component of the Council’s education program. Position the library as a premier source for information about contemporary craft and expand access to library materials through digitization. Supervise and manage the librarian and part-time librarian, developing and recommending library policies to ensure smooth operation of all library functions.7. Lead strategy, planning, and implementation of ACC national conference program, beginning in 2016 and continuing every three years.8. Contribute to scholarly discourse on the field of craft through posts on ACC website, articles for American Craft magazine, Emerging Voices Awards publication, ACC podcast, and with outside partners as appropriate.9. Oversee the roster of ACC award programs including the ACC Awards (Gold Medal, College of Fellows, Award of Distinction and Award of Philanthropy), the Emerging Voices Awards, the Rare Craft Fellowship Award in Association with The Balvenie, and the American Craft Show Awards of Excellence.10. Supervise and manage the education coordinator, education and library interns, and project-specific contractors to ensure successful execution of programs and complete after action reviews of work.11. Act as an ambassador for the American Craft Council and its programs, promoting the Council as a leader in the field.

Additional Responsibilities:• Work collaboratively with other senior staff and the executive director to develop education policies and procedures for the Council.• Work with committees of the Council’s board, particularly the Education Committee and Awards Committee to determine strategies for education programming and awards presentation.• Maintain all records of programmatic and partnership activities.• Perform other tasks as assigned or necessary.

Position Requirements:• Seven years professional educational program development in the art/craft field• Organized self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills• Well-developed interpersonal skills including the ability to work closely with trustees, ACC members, colleagues, and outside constituents• Proficient computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications• Proven track record of successful development of arts educational programs on a local and national level• Experience in shaping and maintaining national partnerships with cultural institutions, membership organizations and colleges/universities• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred• Salary commensurate with experience.

The American Craft Council (ACC) is a national, nonprofit educational organization founded in 1943. with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft.

The Baltimore ACC Show is the American Craft Council’s flagship show – a must-attend for craft lovers – runs from Feb. 19–21, 2016 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

More than 650 top contemporary jewelry, clothing, furniture, and artists from across the country will gather under one roof. It’s a great chance to touch, feel, and explore high-quality American craft and meet the makers behind the fabulous work.

Artist Drew Storm Graham is one of the outstanding makers that will be showing at the Baltimore ACC show – featuring his artistically handcrafted interchangeable wooden bow ties and his company Switchwood. (Booth: 2100)

WGS’ Michael Janis is one of the artists featured in the Society of Contemporary Craft‘s exhibit “Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art“. This show explores the impact that mental illness is having on society, and the role the arts can play to both encourage positive self-expression and guide effective mental health promotion and treatment. The (traveling) show highlights a variety of techniques and forms that include innovative art expressions rooted in traditional craft materials, as well as art that explores unexpected relationships between craft and painting, sculpture, conceptual, and installation art. American Craft Magazine will have a short story about the show in their next issue – out early next year! The SCC has made a short video of the exhibit and their goals in the show – in the link below

The April/May issue of American Craft Magazine is now out – within the sheets of the magazine – or at the ACC website, one can see familiar faces names and artworks.The magazine cover lists the contents: Fossils, Claws, Fur, Chicken Legs, Fangs, Fungi, Spider Eggs and Twigs – so clearly, the magazine is all about WGS.Marc Petrovic’s beautiful blown sculpture “Not The Brightest Bulb” is featured with an article by Glen Adamson, from London’s V & A Museum, that asks if craft can connect the viewers more to nature.

Great article by Glen Adamson on the rise of technology and the disconnect with nature.

“Mermaids Past Their Prime”photo by Pete Duvall

Tim Tate is also featured in the article by senior editor Julie Hanus, titled “More Than Human“. Julie’s article is a fun look at how artists create human/animal imagery to create compelling insights to who we are. His featured work, one of his pieces from his eries ’21st Century Sideshows’ – a mixed media reliquary titled “Mermaids Past Their Prime”. Daily Art Muse blog author Susan Lomuto was the starring actor for the video portrayal of a chain smoking world weary faded maid.

Other glass artists – Martin Janecky and Anne Wolff‘s works were in an article about Habatat Galleries upcoming 41st International Glass Invitational, which opens April 24. The Michigan gallery will have a concurrent exhibition, titled “eXpose,”at that time that includes works by our Sean Hennessey.

Forget “Being John Malkovich” – the American Craft Magazine article is about “Becoming Michael Janis”!

photo by Robert Severi

Rebecca talks with Michael and uncovers his past life as an architect in Australia, and how, in a short amount of time, became one of leading ‘sgrafitto’ glass artists in the world.If you get the subscription for the magazine – it should be delivered in the next few days. If you want it online – you can get the digital subscription to the magazine HERE.Or – run right out to the newstand and demand your copy – AT ONCE!

Erwin Timmers, Rebound, part of the 2013 International Glass + Clay show in Washington, DC – photo by Pete Duvall.

﻿The American Craft Council (ACC) ﻿gives the Washington, DC US/UK collaborative glass and clay show a mention in the ACC’s roundup of national exhibits:

“No time to lose! The 2013 International Glass + Clay runs through March 23 at Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington, DC. It’s a spectacular showcase of artists from Washington, DC and Sunderland, England, the third creative collaboration since the cities signed a friendship agreement in 2006.”

Perry Price – the American Craft Council‘s new Director of Education interviewed master metal artist Chris Shea for the ACC’s American Craft Week. The “5 Question” format gives a too-brief glimpse into Chris’ thought process, but includes his thoughts of the DC area and the Washington Glass School:

The Renwick Gallery has been a special source of inspiration and encouragement for me as have the members of the James Renwick Alliance, the support organization for the museum. The Washington Glass School, created by Tim Tate, Michael Janis, and Erwin Timmers is a second creative home for me, and for many other people, too. It’s a kind of energy bank where I go for a spark of comradeship, collaboration, competition – and to find that special luminescence that glass can bring to the darker, heavier tones of forged metalwork. (ok, emphasis is mine, but still, phwoar!)

Chris recently had some of his forged steel furniture acquired by the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery – click here to read about his process. Congrats (again) Chris!

The American Craft Council (ACC) is a national, nonprofit educational organization founded in 1943 with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft. The ACC celebrates the remarkable achievements of the many gifted artists today who are working with a variety of materials.

In time for Valentines, the Feb/March 2012 issue of American Craft magazine (published by the American Craft Council) features Washington Glass School Director Michael Janis answering the romantic question: “Who’s Your Platonic Craft Crush”. The new issue also has some great articles about Harvey Littleton and the Studio Glass Movement, and an article about ceramic sculptor Cristina Córdova.

For some reason tho, Michael is made to be yellow. Very yellow. I am (overly) Curious Yellow.

The American Craft Council is the voice for craft in America, celebrating the remarkable achievement of the many gifted artists working in the media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and other materials. Programs through which the Council supports the field include the bimonthly magazine American Craft. Click HERE to jump to the Craft Council website.

Tim Tate & I ran through the American Craft Council show at Baltimore’s Convention Center - looking at the cool work and catching up with some old friends who are exhibiting at the huge show. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay too long, and we also were there on a wholesale market day – where the artists showing on those days are marketing to retail buyers – many of the booths were not open as a result. The ACC opens for the public on Thursday February 25, 2010.

Tim Tate and Devin Burgess at the ACC.Tommie Rush’s booth is filled with vibrant color – her “Happy Pills” in the foreground.Kenny Pieper’s newest works show how his incredible detailed and intricate canework can feel spontaneous .Tim Tate explains theory on how to market glass to Urban Glass artist Jamie Harris.Jaimie Harris’ Infusion Panels – the result of experiments he pursued at a recent residency at the Corning Museum of Glass. These one-of-a-kind panels begin as solid sculptures and are then kiln-cast into flat blocks, carved and polished.